We’re primed for a great year of sport. Along with the annual events we look forward to every season, we also get two global headliners with the Winter Olympics in Milan and the FIFA World Cup taking place across the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
The beginning of a new year is not just about often unfulfilled resolutions. It is also a chance to step back, take stock, and make a few educated guesses about what the next 12 months might bring.
With the stage set, it’s time to put some forecasts on the record.
LeBron James Returns to Cleveland
It feels like the time has come for LeBron James and the Lakers to mutually part ways. The Lakers could benefit from the salary cap space, enabling them to build a more balanced roster around Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić.
For LeBron, it’s hard to see him walking away without a farewell tour. A retirement announcement this summer primes him for a glorious 2026-27 being paraded around the country and receiving adulation.
Who better to do that with than the Cavaliers? There’s also the chance that he can join on a cut-price deal and try to get these Cavs over the hump if they fall short again in the playoffs.
Rory McIlroy Wins Second Masters
Imagine how different teeing off on Sunday at Augusta will feel for Rory McIlroy now he’s got the first one under his belt.
The pressure has all but disappeared. He remains one of the best golfers on the planet and knows he can conquer the demands of Augusta.
After playing some sensational golf in a fiery Ryder Cup, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see McIlroy make it consecutive green jackets.
England Win FIFA World Cup
England hasn’t reached a World Cup final since 1966 when they defeated West Germany in the final. This summer, the Three Lions have their best chance since then.
They have tournament experience, having finished as runners-up at the last two European Championships. Gareth Southgate took this team a long way, and now they are under the stewardship of Thomas Tuchel, an expert technician with a superb record in knockout tournaments.
It’s not outlandish to say England has the most talented squad in world football right now. There are very few weaknesses across the group, which features truly elite talents in Reece James, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane.
Red Sox Win AL East
Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, and Ranger Suárez make a formidable front three. Willson Contreras joins a lineup with plenty of pop. Plus, Roman Anthony is healthy and it’s reasonable to expect more from Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer.
Boston was more competitive in 2025 than most projections expected. The 2026 season represents a real opportunity for the Red Sox with their mix of proven starting pitching and young, high upside hitters.
Don’t be surprised if Boston is overlooked in preseason analysis once again. This team, though, is clearly good enough to top a strong AL East.
Giannis Gets Traded to Knicks
Saying Giannis Antetokounmpo will get traded isn’t especially bold. It feels almost inevitable.
Picking a destination is trickier. It doesn’t seem like anything is imminent, so the move might ultimately come this offseason, with Giannis seemingly reluctant to force the issue too aggressively.
Imagine a scenario where the Knicks don’t reach the Finals in such a wide-open Eastern Conference. How would they be able to turn down the chance to acquire Antetokounmpo? There have been murmurings the Knicks could be his preferred destination, too.
George Russell Wins Drivers’ Championship
Mercedes are tipped as the early favorites in a new era of Formula One. It’s all speculation until the teams get on the track for testing, but there are rumors that the Silver Arrows is the strongest car on the grid.
A powerful engine also bodes well for Williams and Alpine. If George Russell is given the fastest car on the grid, he’s going to take some beating.
The Brit was already competitive in 2025, despite his rivals often having superior equipment. We are yet to see what Russell can do in a title-worthy car.
USA Win World Cup Knockout Match
The United States, drawn with Australia, Paraguay, and the UEFA Path C winner (Slovakia, Turkey, Kosovo, or Romania), has a great shot at winning Group D. Doing so would mean a round of 32 match against a third-placed team.
The US has won one World Cup knockout match in its history, which came against Mexico in 2002. With home advantage and a talented squad, they won’t have a better chance than this summer to add to that tally.
This group is peaking at the right time. Most of the core players have plenty of international experience and are still in their prime years.
Aryna Sabalenka Wins 2+ Grand Slams
Aryna Sabalenka is the best all-surface tennis player in the world. Sabalenka has made at least the semi-finals in the last five Grand Slams, including two titles at the US Open and runner-up placings in Melbourne and Roland Garros.
In the last 12 Slams she’s competed in, Sabalenka has failed to reach the last four on only one occasion. She’s made seven finals, winning four titles, across that period.
As proven by her run to the final at last year’s French Open, Sabalenka is a threat to win at all four Slams. She was only three wins from a calendar year Slam in 2025, winning two in a year seems a very achievable goal.
Ketel Marte Gets Traded
It’s not often a player of Ketel Marte’s caliber gets dealt. Underrated and overlooked, Marte has received MVP votes in each of the last two seasons and has unequivocally been the best second baseman in the majors.
He’s under team control through 2030 at a relatively reasonable number. Arizona has reportedly considered moving Marte this winter, and could be even more motivated to do so if they aren’t competitive in the first half of the season.
There should be a long queue of front offices trying to deal for Marte. The Diamondbacks don’t have the lineup depth to contend after losing Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez, so flipping Marte for a haul could be a necessary reset as they continue to build around Corbin Carroll.
Browns Trade Up in NFL Draft
Dante Moore returning to Oregon has left the top of this draft looking very thin at quarterback. Wouldn’t it be typical of the Browns to still trade up in search of their long-term QB?
Could we even see Cleveland mortgage the future to take Fernando Mendoza? Maybe, just maybe, the Raiders can be tempted to accept another year in the tank and wait on a signal caller in next year’s draft.
Perhaps the Browns get infatuated with Carnell Tate and move up a couple of spots to make sure he doesn’t get taken by the Titans. It all feels realistically on the table with a franchise so desperate for some long-term hope.
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